Jalebis Summary Class 8 English It So Happened Chapter 7

Introduction

The narrator, a fifth-standard schoolboy, had four rupees in his pocket, intending to save it. However, the fee collector, Ghulam Mohammed, was absent that day.

The Temptation

Throughout the day at school, the coins remained untouched in his pocket. But once he left school, they started jingling, tempting him to spend them. One coin in particular urged him to buy hot, syrupy jalebis. Despite the temptation, the boy hesitated to use his fee money, aware of his strict class teacher.

The Coins Persuade the Boy

The coins began to persuade the boy, each speaking up as he held them tightly in his fist. The oldest coin reminded him of the scholarship money he would receive the next day. Although his mouth watered at the thought of jalebis, he felt it was wrong to buy them in public, coming from a well-to-do family and being good at studies. The coins were eager to be spent and continued to urge him to buy something.

Giving In

The boy returned home for lunch, trying to resist the craving for jalebis. However, he eventually succumbed to the temptation and rushed to the sweetmeat seller, purchasing jalebis worth one rupee and getting a considerable amount.

The Aftermath

After seeing his uncle return from court, the boy quickly dashed into a lane and indulged in the jalebis, sharing them with neighbourhood children. He spent the remaining three rupees on jalebis, distributing them among the kids. After washing his hands and mouth, he returned home but felt ill from overeating and suffered a stomachache throughout the night. He felt better in the morning and went back to school.

Facing Consequences

The boy faced a new problem when he realized that the scholarship would be paid the following month. Panic set in as he remembered spending the fee money on jalebis. During recess, he left school and went to the railway station, feeling sad and scared. Regretting his decision to spend the fee money on jalebis, he feared his teacher's punishment and began to pray sincerely, reciting the entire Namaz to please God. He appealed to God for four rupees, but his plans failed, and he faced no mercy from God. Eventually, he was caught, and the report of his absence from school reached home. Over the years, he learned that God helps those who help themselves and that asking alone is not enough; one must be mindful of their actions.